| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office.
2020-2024 Targeted Resurvey of Sheboygan recommendation write-up:
This two-story, Queen Anny-style building is comprised of two periods of construction; the first in 1890 (east portion), the other added circa 1897-98 (west portion). The entire building features a prominent, decorative cornice that consists of brickwork, brackets, and modillions; a parapet with additional detailing runs along the top of the building. Despite an altered storefront, its Michigan Avenue facade continues to be divided into three storefronts and the central space retains its prism glass transom. The second floor, however, remains significantly intact, featuring a pair of oriel-type bay windows—one each along both Michigan and 9th streets, a rectangular bay window along 9th Street, while the projection at the corner of the building presents itself more as a turret and is topped with a tent roof. Remaining fenestration along this level is comprised of tall-and-narrow, double-hung windows, each topped with a heavy, decorative hood. Historic photos, one featuring the original corner block and another after the addition was completed, confirms that little has been done to alter the building.
Designed by Sheboygan architect Charles Hilpertshauser, the Charles Hanf Block was built in 1890, with the addition to the west (also by Hilpertshauser) being added between 1897 and 1898. Charles Hanf was born in 1835 in Germany and come to the United States at the age of seventeen. In 1865, he settled permanently in Sheboygan with his wife Augusta Festerling and engaged in the boot and shoe business. In 1890, he replaced his frame building at the corner of Michigan and 9th streets with one of brick. Hanf sold his business in 1895 to Charles Festerling and Hanf retired in 1898. At approximately that same time, he built a two-story addition (904-906 Michigan) on to the west of his block; the first tenant of which was tailor George Kroeff in 904. Festerling and his son William occupied 906 from circa 1898 through at least 1925. From 1905 until 1909, the Farmers and Merchants Bank (est. 1905) was located in 904. And from 1898 to 1910, the former Hanf store was remodeled for use as a drug store that was run by Hanf’s son-in-law, O.C. Neumeister and thereafter referred to as the Neumeister Block. In 1911, the block was sold by Mrs. O.C. (Lillie) Neumeister to Julius T. Bruhn of the Bruhn Drug Company. In 1925 and designed by William C. Weeks, the storefront was remodeled and prism glass was installed over the display windows. At that time, the block, which was owned by J.F. Bruhn, included the Guido Trilling tailor shop, the shoe store of William Festerling and the Bruhn Drug Co. Schultz and Schultz Insurance moved into the block in 1967 and the building was ultimately purchased by Girard and Tom Schultz. The building was designated as a Sheboygan County Landmark in 1995 and it became a city designated landmark in 2013. |
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| Bibliographic References: | SHEBOYGAN PRESS 10/21/1995.
LJM Architects, Inc. City of Sheboygan, Wisconsin: Architectural and Historical Intensive Survey Report. City of Sheboygan Historic Preservation Commission & Department of City Development; 2002, 2004 & 2006.
Citations for the 2020-2024 Targeted Resurvey recommendation write-up:
Sheboygan of Today: Its Business Solidity and Prospects (N.p.: N.p., May 1898), 25, includes photo; Dawn Jax Belleau, “A Gem of History,” The Sheboygan Press, 21 October 1995, A1-2, includes historic photo of the original 1890 block.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of Sheboygan, Wis., 1891; 1903; Sheboygan City Directory, 1891, 1893, 1895-96, 1897-98; “New Farmer and Merchants Bank,” The Sheboygan Press, 16 October 1909, 1; Entry for O.C. Neumeister in Carl Zillier, ed., History of Sheboygan County, Wisconsin: Past and Present (Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. 1912), 550-51; “J.T. Bruhn Buys Business Block Today,” The Sheboygan Press, 26 March 1917, 5; “Charles Hanf Died Sunday,” The Sheboygan Press, 25 January 1915, 1; “Remodeled Front of Large Building on Michigan Avenue Adds to Beauty of Stores,” The Sheboygan Press, 27 August 1925, 3; “Michigan Ave. Was Thoroughfare of Amusement,” The Sheboygan Press, 23 April 1926, 14; “Charles Festerling, Former Shoe Merchant, Is Summoned,” The Sheboygan Press, 14 October 1931, 2; “O. Neumeister Passes Away at Hospital Today,” The Sheboygan Press, 7 December 1938, 6; Jos. M. Theisen, “Fifty Years,” (re: ground work begun on Hanf building), The Sheboygan Press, 22 April 1940, 13.
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